Mrs Thatcher's tip for traders

“We must get back to the days when we took pride in our work, when ‘Made in Britain’ meant a guarantee of first class goods and delivery second to none” .

This was the message that the Conservative Leader, Mrs Margaret Thatcher, gave to Finchley and Whetstone Chamber of Commerce at their annual ladies' night at Alexandra Palace last Thursday.

Mrs Thatcher, who is MP for Finchley and Friern Barnet and president of the Chamber, was accompanied by her husband, Mr Denis Thatcher.

She said that small traders were facing more and more difficult problems.

“You are doing a magnificent job during this period of inflation, coping with increased rates, insurance, rents and rising costs, yet at the same time giving a remarkable personal service to the community by setting out to please your customers,” she added.

Mrs Thatcher told the assembly of about 150 that she was most disappointed at not being present at the annual ladies' night last year.

“Unfortunately it clashed with the General Election and was the day I lost my job as Minister for Education,” she said. “Since then we have had two governments and three budgets and now face yet another budget.

ON TICK

“It is difficult for businessmen, especially the small trader, to plan ahead with the threat of budgets. One does not know what to spend on expansion, stock or the number of employees under such circumstances.

“It is a pity we do not have a Chancellor of the Exchequer who has had to run his own business and make ends meet, and not on tick.”

Mrs Thatcher said that when she used to visit schools, her advice to children was to save save hard and make £100 the target. “Today, my advice is to keep on saving but make the target £1,000, which is the cost of rising inflation” .

Mr Peter Wedd, chairman of the Chamber, thanked Mrs Thatcher and said everybody realised that now she was Leader of the Opposition her time was in great demand.

“It is therefore a great pleasure to all of us that she has found the time to support our function,” he added.

Mr Wedd also thanked Mr Solly Seaton and the secretary, Mrs P. Fry, for their hard work in making the functions such a success.

HIGH HOPES

Councillor Frank Gibson, proposing the toast to the ladies and visitors, said: “Mrs Thatcher may be only a grocer's daughter, but let's hope she will soon deliver the goods.

“We have very high hopes of you, Mrs Thatcher, in the future—and may it come soon.”

Councillor Gibson emphasised that Mrs Thatcher had made a pledge that when she became a Minister she would continue to give her full support to her consitituency. “That pledge she is keeping,” he added.

Alderman William Pearson replying, referred to Councillor Gibson as “Mr Finchley and Whetstone himself” , and congratulated the Chamber on their work. [end p1]

(2) Barnet Press, 28 March 1975

‘Capitalists’ are doing a great job

Opposition Leader and Finchley MP Mrs. Margaret Thatcher told local traders they are “an excellent example of capitalism in society.”

She was speaking as president of the Finchley and Whetstone Chamber of Commerce at their annual dinner held in the Palace Suite, Alexandra Palace last Thursday evening.

She told her “fellow capitalists” that it had been a particularly busy year especially for small business owners. She said: “When either Government or Local Government has got stuck into budgets, it is usually these people who have to the bill.”

She thought people did not pay sufficient tribute to the work shopkeepers do and described local traders as “the backbone of Britain”

She said “Many of you choose to run your own business or be self-employed—it is remarkable how many choose to do this in these times. Undoubtedly there is a great satisfaction in being your own master. It is much better than working for someone else you can profit directly from your own efforts.”

She commented on the three problems facing shopkeepers. The increased National Insurance contribution; the problem of financing stock or work during a period of inflation, and the rates burden. She felt that it was a comment on our times that we were grateful rates were only going up 37 per cent. whereas a few years ago we would have thought that appalling.

She thought the outstanding problem after inflation was the amount of money we had borrowed—£1 in every £10—and she dreaded the time when it would have to be paid back.

She praised the chamber by saying: “The service you offer is extremely personal. You know what the customers want and you set out to please them. I wish you all prosperity and salute you as an excellent example of capitalism in our society.”

Chairman of the Finchley and Whetstone Chamber of Commerce Mr. Peter Wedd thanked Mrs. Thatcher for supporting the chamber. He also thanked Mr. Solly Seaton and Mrs. Pat Fry, of the social committee, for the evening's entertainment.

Cr. Frank Gibson proposed a toast to the ladies and visitors. He said of Mrs. Thatcher: “She may be the grocer's daughter, but I am quite sure she is going to deliver the goods for this country.”

Cr. Gibson added: “She said she was still going to attend meetings for her constituents and her presence here tonight is justification of this.” He also welcomed her husband, Denis.

Ald. William Pearson thanked “Mr. Finchley and Whetstone” for his speech and thanked the chamber for their hospitality and kindness.